Devotionals

Memorise: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.
Read: Deuteronomy 28:13-14
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 10-11, Matthew 10:16-39

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. For you to walk in the reality of the truth that God has made you the head, you need to understand the significance of being the head. For this reason, we shall be looking at some of the responsibilities of the head in the body so that we do not disappoint the One who has graciously made us the head.
2. According to today’s memory verse, our Lord Jesus Christ has been made the Head over all things for the benefit of the Church, which means that we derive our right and authority to be head in every area of life from Him, you can be sure that your attempts to function as head will be an exercise in futility.
3. It would be a great waste of Christ’s work of grace if you fail to manifest as the head.
4. Beloved, when you pray that God should make you head as He promised in Deuteronomy 28:13, do you put into consideration the corresponding responsibilities? For example, it is in the head that we have sight (the eyes).
5. As head of a family, clan, department in Church, business or community, are you ready to function as an effective eye for the body? I believe you don’t want to be a blind head. For example, as the head for a family, have you really caught the vision for the wellbeing of your family or do you allow your family grope in darkness towards doom?
6. Do you see errors of indiscipline in your family and overlook them by turning your eyes away? Are your eyes not already blinded by the delicacies of sin? Furthermore, in the head lies the ability to speak (the mouth). As the head of a church, has your mouth been padlocked by the gifts of criminals and harlots in your congregation, so much so that they now occupy positions in God’s sanctuary? The head is also the centre of hearing (the ears). As the head, do you still hear from God for the people you serve? When last did you hear from God about your people? Lastly, the head contains the brain which thinks for the body.
7. Some family heads have relinquished their thinking role to their wives and children.
8. Their children now dictate what is right or wrong to them. Some girls have changed their mothers’ wardrobes because they see their clothes as ‘old school’. They have arranged wardrobes that now contain what used to be underwear as the main clothes for their mothers. And these mothers have conceded to such abomination. My prayer for every head today and those who are aspiring to be heads is that you will be head indeed. I prophesy that you will begin to effectively fulfil the functions of the head from today in Jesus name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Another great insight to His word. Being Head truly entails great responsibilities that can only be handled divinely. As the head contains, the eyes, Ears, mouth, brain etc therefore if you agree to be the head as the Bible says “And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”
Deuteronomy 28:13 , then you must ensure all these senses are active to receiving divine information and thereafter releasing as well. You must be able to use the ears to hear and listen when God speaks and use the mouth to Pray constantly to God so that the ones under the head will not collapse. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please make me head indeed and don’t let me fail in my responsibilities.
Hymn
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
I need thee every hour
Most Holy one;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

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20

Memorise: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1st John 5:3
Read: Psalm 119:97-106
97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 9, Matthew 9:27-10:15

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. We often need to remind ourselves of what it means to be born again so that we do not lose sight of who we are. To be born again means that the control of one’s life has been given or surrendered to Jesus Christ. 
2. From the moment a person makes this decision, the Lord Jesus Christ is meant to be in charge of his or her life. One of the important features of being born again is transformation, which is described in the Bible as putting on the new man (Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10).
3. This occurs through a process of continuously renewing the mind with the word of God (Romans 12:2).
4. When a person becomes born again, he or she is a new creature, from whom old things are passed away and all things have become new (2nd Corinthians 5:17). The old things that have passed away include the old ways of thinking and acts that lead to disobedience. The old man, present in all of mankind, is disobedient by nature. This Adamic nature finds the instructions of God oppressive and can never submit to His authority. 1st Corinthians 2:14 says: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
5. In contrast to the old Adamic nature, the mind of the new man is subject to the control and influence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Whenever the new man receives any instruction from God, it is joyfully obeyed – God’s commandments are not in any way burdensome to him. Indeed, the new man loves to obey God (1st John 5:3). However, to reassure our hearts that He is not in any way a taskmaster, Jesus in Matthew 11:30 said: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
7. Through these words and several others, we know that God’s motive behind every commandment is our own good.
8. The system of the world is one of the main factors that make obeying God’s commandments seem difficult, but we thank God that the new man in us has overcome the world (1st John 5:4).
9. True children of God find the world with all its trappings unattractive.
10. Everything the world has to offer, in the form of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, cannot dominate a child of God any more (Romans 6:14). 
11. Today’s Bible reading paints a perfect picture of the resultant effect of resolving to obey God’s commandments. The word of God suddenly becomes sweeter than honey. This leads us to hate falsehood and keeps us away from evil behaviour.
12. Obedience to the word of God gives superior understanding and divine wisdom. Having been taught by God Himself, we become wiser than our enemies. You will find it easy to obey God’s word henceforth in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”Romans 6:13-14. Obeying the word of God is never to hurt, limit or even restrict but rather pre-condition to attaining divine resources. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me divine wisdom, and take me far above my enemies in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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20

Memorise: Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Read: 2nd Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 7-8, Matthew 9:9-26

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.” 2nd Peter 1:14 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2nd Timothy 4:6
2. It is amazing to read the words of Peter and Paul in the above verses of scripture. They spoke of their impending deaths as though they were making preparations for a trip to a better country.
3. Contrary to the common human response to issues relating to death, there is no trace of fear or anxiety in their words.
4. We have important lessons to learn about death from these great apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 9:27, the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul saying: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” He also spoke through Peter in 1st Peter 4:7 saying: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
5. These two great apostles had no fear of death because they knew that death was just a vehicle to transport them to the glorious place Christ had prepared for them. They could look death in the eye without flinching because they had lived their lives in holiness, doing the will of God from a heart of love. They lived a victorious life over the devil, and were not held bound by the world with all its trappings. They knew with certainty that death would only be a passage of life in eternity, and that once they close their eyes in death they would be carried into the presence of Jesus by His holy angels. Death and the grave had no power over them, and they could truly say: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1st Corinthians 15:55
6. God deliberately gave us these two apostles as examples so that we would learn from their attitude.
7. We who are alive today are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, appropriating the victory He has won for us over death by shedding whatever fear of death we may still have.
8. Christ has indeed delivered us from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). His expectation is that we will begin to make preparations for our flight to eternity, either by death or by the rapture.  Finally, in words of Amos 4:12, I plead with you today: “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD”!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many believers out of ignorance are engraved in fear of death. Death shouldn’t be an issue of fear if you are genuinely living in Christ. “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:15. Brethren Jesus paid it all on the cross,  there is a glorious future for you and there is life after death( sleep) as the Apostle regards it as falling asleep. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thessalonians 4:13 
That is the good news: there is hope for you in Christ. May God empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Key Point
What is your attitude towards death, and are you prepared to take a flight to glory through it?

Hymn

I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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20

Memorise: And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 15:14
Read: Luke 15:11-16
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 4-6, Matthew 8:18-9:8

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. A giver is a person who gives generously to the poor and needy in obedience to the word of God. A giver makes it a point of duty to pay his or her first fruits and tithes, gives offerings and also makes other necessary financial contributions to his or her local church.
2. Meanwhile, ‘Father Christmas’ is a term used in some parlance to describe an extravagant spender: one who unnecessarily spends a lot of money that he or she cannot afford. A Father Christmas is often typified by exaggerated, excessive or immoderate behaviour and wastefulness which may result in personal harm.
3. Blessings are like talents entrusted to our care by God. He has called us to be givers and wise stewards of His investments in us.
4. God frowns at any form of wasteful or extravagant behaviour in His children.
5. The word of God guides our attention towards the right kind of open-handedness and generosity of spirit, which reflects love and worship towards God by showing concern for the poor and the less privileged in our society (Proverbs 19:17). I pray that God will bless you so much that you will become a source of blessing to your generation in Jesus’ Name.
6. The Bible provides us with some examples of sinful extravagance or wastefulness.
7. A good example is found in our Bible text, where the prodigal son gathered all his inheritance together and left for a far country where he wasted all he had through extravagant spending.
8. In Philippians 3:19, the Holy Spirit admonishes us that those who mind earthly things, whose god is their belly, will end up in destruction.
9. Proverbs 6:26 further tells us that those who lavish their hard-earned money on strange women and cheap girls will eventually become diminished to the value of a piece of bread.
10. Extravagant or wasteful spending usually leads to poverty. This is what happened to the prodigal son. After he had squandered all his inheritance, he had to take up enjoyment in the worst kind of job in order to survive. I pray that you will never commit any error that will turn your life upside down again in the Name of Jesus.
11. Extravagant and wasteful spending is no substitute for doing what God requires of you (1st Samuel 15:22, Micah 6:7-8).
12. Without any doubt, God is more interested in Christians who are determined to do their best to meet His requirement of holiness and righteous living.
13. The extravagant spending of an unrepentant sinner in the house of God is at best viewed as an attempt to bribe God, and this is abomination to Him (Proverbs 21:27).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

What should we say about the multitude of extravagant sinner in churches today? Should we assume that they are doing all out of ignorance or conclude as Pastor Adeboye has written in today’s devotional “extravagant spending of an unrepentant sinner in the house of God is at best viewed as an attempt to bribe God, and this is abomination to Him (Proverbs 21:27). There are many lovers of Christ in this generation but few lover of the cross. If you find yourself in this category, please desist from such act, it’s indeed unacceptable unto God. We pray that the Lord shall renew the strength of Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please let my love offerings always be acceptable in Your sight in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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20

Memorise: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:25
Read: James 1:21-25
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 1-3, Matthew 7:24-8:17

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. The issue of prosperity is an area where many in the Body of Christ today hold dangerous misconceptions. So many people come to church today in search of blessings, either financial or otherwise, but they are not interested in getting born again in truth.
2. They care less about holiness or righteousness and are not committed to the service of God in anyway, but they are prepared to do anything the pastor says with respect to sowing seeds and giving sacrificially in order to be blessed. Unfortunately, many in this category are youths. After they have practiced sowing and sacrificial giving for a while and the blessings are not forthcoming, they begin to pile up accusations against God and His servants. Although some pastors may be taking advantage of the innocence and ignorance of these young minds, such youths have themselves to blame because they have access to the word of God and are intelligent enough to read and understand the principles of prosperity as laid down by God.
3. In several passages of the Bible, God promises His people prosperity in physical, material and spiritual things, and He also reiterates His intention to make them great and exalted above all other people of the earth, but this is always based on one condition OBEDIENCE.
4. Without exception, the Bible always presents obedience as the prerequisite to blessings. James 1:25 stressed the point that anyone who continues to live in obedience to the word of God shall be blessed in his or her deeds.
5. The pronouncement of multiple blessings on Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 28 was also based on the condition of obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1. Therefore, obedience to the word of God is not negotiable for anyone who is looking up to God for blessings.
6. Another important thing to note is that God expects His children to continue in obedience, since the matter of their prosperity is already settled (Deuteronomy 28:2). 
7. The Creator of heaven and earth is a master planner and He knows how to make everything perfect in His own time. For this reason, giving Him a time limit within which you expect Him to perform His work is not wise and may lead to disappointment.
8. When God promised to build me a city instead of the two-bedroom apartment I was asking for, I didn’t know His timing, but I waited patiently for Him. Months later, God started His wonders at the Redemption Camp, and about 40 years later, the project has become a huge success, although God is not done with His wonders yet. I decree that the same God will perfect your package of blessing and deliver it to you very soon in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Let us take time to critically examine today’s memory verse. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25. What is the perfect law of liberty? They are the instructions and commands of the most High. Similarly, the Bible says “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”Deuteronomy 28:1-2 . Therefore the key to partake in these blessings is being doer not just hearer of the word. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me the grace to obey You in all areas of my life in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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20

Memorise:  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17
Read: Acts 2:17-21
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Bible in one year: Ezra 9-10, Matthew 7:1-23

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. When considering the signs of the end-times, we are usually so engrossed with looking at the negative things that will happen that we often lose sight of the positive ones.
2. There are several positive things the Spirit of God has indicated will occur in these end times, and children of God who are wise will put these to heat and watch out for them so as not to miss out on what God is doing in our time. One of such positive signs is found in Micah 4:1 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.”
3. This speaks about the prosperity and the glorification of God’s Church before the whole world. It also speaks of the great harvest of souls that God will send to His Church through this prosperity.
4. Anyone who has his or her ears on the heartbeat of God’s Spirit will know that we live in the time when this sign is being fulfilled.
5. The wise will connect themselves to what God is doing through His Spirit and experience this prosperity, while the foolish will continue to argue that prosperity is not for God’s children.
6. Another of positive sign is the great outpouring of revival, which the Holy Spirit spoke about in Acts 2:17, saying:”And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” This has already started, and a greater outpouring is gathering momentum among the youths. For this reason, the Church must begin to prepare the youths for the greater revival that is coming.
7. This is not a theological proposition, but a truth that is founded on God’s word. We must therefore allow God to use us to bring it to pass.
8. The old ones in the Body of Christ will dream dreams for the youths to carry out. There must therefore be collaboration and understanding of our distinct roles in God’s programme for these end times.
9. While our elders like Moses sit on the mountain to seek the Lord’s face, our Joshua must take the battle to the enemy’s gates with their God-given vigour (Exodus 17:8-15).
10. When we follow this divine pattern, the battle will be won decisively by the Church of Jesus Christ on earth, and the kingdom of God our Father shall be gloriously inaugurated at the second coming of His Christ.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We must be at alert and be delibrate in seeing to it that this scripture above is fulfilled in us and through us. We must participate fully in actualising this ministry. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, let Your kingdom come in its fullness, and let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Hymn
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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20

Memorise: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preaches a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Romans 2:21
Read: Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Bible in one year: Ezra 7-8, Matthew 6:16-34

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. Today, we will be reflecting on the subject of hypocrisy.
2. In general terms, hypocrisy is the habit of pretending to be what one is not. Hypocrites especially pretend to be morally upright but in reality, they are morally bankrupt.
3. Jesus Christ identified the Pharisees as perfect examples of hypocrites, and He exposed some interesting characteristics they possess. Let us consider some of these traits, so that we can guard ourselves against them.
4. Simply put, hypocrites are blind to their own faults (Matthew 7:5), they are ignorant of the current move of God (Luke 12:56), they do not know what is important to God (Luke 13:15-16) and they obsess over the traditions of men (Mark 7:8).
5. Furthermore, they lack knowledge on God’s true expectations of His people (Matthew 23:14-15), and love to make public displays of their moral and religious standing (Matthew 6:2). Hypocrites view themselves as the only godly, virtuous and spiritual people around.
6. Consequently, they are highly judgemental of other people’s mistakes and shortcomings in public, whereas they themselves may even be guilty of worse sins in secret.
7. A careful consideration of these characteristics may reveal one or two that may be evident in your life. I pray that God will destroy every root of hypocrisy in your life today in Jesus’ Name.
8. Jesus often called the Pharisees hypocrites because of the conflict between their external actions and their internal state (Matthew 23:27-28).
9. In order not to end up like them, we must thoroughly check ourselves often. Do you seldom preach to yourself as a Christian? Do you find yourself practicing what you preach against? Do you have the habit of crucifying others when they fall into error? Are you judgemental of other people’s mistakes? Is your internal state consistent with your external works? Are you in anyway hypocritical in thought or action?
10. May the Lord shine His light into our hearts and deliver His Church from hypocrisy in Jesus’ Name. Jesus compared hypocrites to whitewashed to tombs and to dishes that are clean on the outside but dirty on the inside (Matthew 23:25-28).
11. It’s such a scary thing to be viewed as neat and clean outside while the internal space that matters most is in despicable condition.
12. This illustration also speaks to Christians who are deemed to be mature, and yet are secretly involved in shameful things. If you are in such a situation, it is time to remove the log from your eyes and straighten out your life.
13. Your efforts to do away with hypocrisy will receive God’s approval in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Thank God for another reflection. Truly hypocrites are blind to their own faults but they are conscious and observant of mistakes of others. Could we assume that it’s out of ignorance? No, it’s is out of pretence and such attitude is not acceptable in the Kingdom of God. A word is enough for the wise, so let’s consider our ways and make right our wrongs. God be praised for His son Pastor E A Adeboye.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to be honest with myself henceforth in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

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Memorise: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Eccles.4:9
Read: Genesis 2:18-25
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Bible in one year: Ezra 4-6, Mathew 5:43-6:15

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. Partnership or friendship involves a deep, strong connection between two individuals who are bound together in a way that affects every aspect of their individual lives.
2. It is a close relationship that involves mutual trust, fellowship, sharing and companionship. Friendship enriches human life.
3. The mutual affection and devotion that David and Jonathan shared with each other was extraordinary, and it is a prime example of what friendship or partnership is ( 1 Samuel 18:1-4).
4. A friend or partner is a person you feel connected to like your own soul.
5. The Bible discusses the benefits and requirements of friendship or partnership in Proverbs 18:24, while it stresses loyalty and steadfastness as hallmarks of true friendship in Proverbs 17:17, which says: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
6. In Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, the Holy Spirit explains the dangers of being a lone ranger and the benefits of partnership. This passage of scripture states clearly that two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour. If they should slip on any issue, they will console and help each other to recover. Whenever they suffer an attack or are faced with an adversary, the two will put up a more formidable defence, and they stand a better chance of surviving the enemy’s attack together than as individual entities.
7. The Holy Spirit also reveals some more truths about friendship and partnership in Proverbs 19:4&6, saying: “Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
8. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.”
9. The wise will keep these truths to heart. Many Christians in the business world would have done better with godly partners, but they are running their businesses alone because they feel that introducing partners will increase their overheads or reduce their profits.
10. The position of the Bible on this is that a right partner will help to increase production and push up profit margins. For example, the great catch of fish in Luke 5:6-7 would have been wasted without the involvement and assistance of partners.
11. The advantages of partnership cannot be overemphasized, even though some people are in a friendly relationship for personal gain. Nevertheless, God wants His children to prayerfully identify, acknowledge and appreciate His talents and special gifts in others.
12. More importantly, He wants us to harness His wonderful investments together in our lives for maximum profit in all that He has destined us to do.
13. The Lord’s declaration in Matthew 18:19 encourages us to work together to achieve greatness that would otherwise be impossible. Begin to harness the power of this word from today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Truly, when resources are pull together by two or more for productivity the result is often better than lonely struggle. The memory verse of today explains it better “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Eccles.4:9” . Have you got fantastic idea ? Infact some husbands can’t even trust their wives to partner with. If you can’t trust your spouse as partner who else will you trust? Begin to build trust in your spouses, friends, partner, Christian brothers and see what the Lord will do by just working together with them . May the Lord crown our efforts this season in Jesus name. May God continually bless and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye I jesus

name.
Prayer Point: Father, please connect me with partners that will lead to greater productivity and efficiency in my life, in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey

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Memorise: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8
Read: Luke 10:1-9
1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Bible in one year: Ezra 1-3, Matthew 5:21-42

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. Prophet Isaiah had the rare privilege of having a vision where he witnessed what was going on in the palace of the Almighty God (Isaiah 6:1-8).
2. The setting he observed was a kind of conference with the hosts of heaven in attendance.
3. God threw a simple question to the multitudes present, which should ordinarily not be much of a challenge to them.
4. The Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The seemingly little hesitation that followed God’s question before Isaiah responded was not an act of rebellion by the angels or the hosts of heaven; rather, there was hesitation because this question was not meant for them. If angels were supposed to take up the assignment, it would have come as a command instead of a question. The privilege of disseminating the good news of the kingdom and propagating the gospel has been expressly assigned to human beings by God.
5. The term ‘evangelism’ therefore refers to spreading the gospel, and the one doing this work is called an ‘evangelist’.
6. The duty of an evangelist is to function as a spokesperson for the church in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
7. Just as God was searching for someone to take up the assignment in today’s memory verse, He is still searching for faithful people who will relentlessly participate in spreading the gospel today. Will you say yes to Him?
8. The need for evangelists today is further amplified by these words of the Lord in Luke 10:2b: “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
9. The gospel is needed more than ever before in this world of sin, where immorality pervades everywhere and the pursuit of worldly pleasures is taking over the church of God. God expects us to walk worthy of our calling and election as children of God (Ephesians 4:1-12). He has endowed each individual in the body of Christ with gifts to function in at least one of several offices, as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Therefore, it is not only pastors and altar ministers that are called to work in God’s vineyard.
10. Everyone who is genuinely born again is called to do the work of an evangelist by spreading the good news of the gospel all over the world (2 Timothy 4:5). Understanding this fact is very necessary if we desire to please God, fulfill our purpose on earth and receive the best from God.
11. Winning lost souls and making them disciples is the whole essence of Christianity.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Too many people are shying away from the call to service. Every believer should see themselves as a man on a mission with a mandate. We should work as a labourer together with God. 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is our role model and He lived on earth doing the Father’s work without ceasing. We have been called to this great ministry also and He who called us has empowered us for the work. All we need to do is to step out and God will help us in Jesus name. We pray that God will grant Pastor E.A Adeboye greater strength for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point: How many souls have you won to Christ this year? Open your mouth and allow God to fill it with words to those that are perishing.
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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Memorise: But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, master! For it was borrowed. 2 Kings 6:5
Read: 2 Kings 6:1-7
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 35-36, Matthew 4:23-5:20

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. The sons of the prophets in today’s Bible text showed serious concern when they lost an axe head that they had borrowed. After doing their best to recover it without success, they thought it necessary to approach the man of God, Elisha, for assistance.
2. Unlike these men, many today are nonchalant in the way they handle other people’s property in their care, not bothering about the condition and welfare of such goods.
3. As a matter of fact, many people handle borrowed items in a way that exposes them to damage or loss, either because they don’t know their true value or they simply don’t care. This scenario mirrors the human life, which God gave to us to put to profitable use.
4. Do you know that your life is borrowed? What are you doing to ensure that your life is not being wasted? Have you been careless with your life because you didn’t know that it was borrowed and that the true owner will soon call for an audit?
5. It is well established truth in the Bible that we are living borrowed lives, and we will be requested to give proper account of all we have done with our lives at the appropriate time.
6. To this effect, without exempting anybody, Romans 14:12 says: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 also echoes this truth saying, “For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
7. Every human being should get ready to give account to God because everything is set for the day of reckoning.
8. The story of the unprofitable servant, who was given one talent in Matthew 25:24-30, further emphasizes the importance of viewing life as a borrowed item that must be properly accounted for in due time. Learn from this servant who returned his talent without making any profit with it. He was seriously reprimanded and referred to as a wicked and slothful servant. His excuse for being unprofitable was not accepted. Rather, he was dispossessed of his talent, declared to be unprofitable and was thrown into outer darkness to weep and mourn forever.
9. Every talent, gift or natural endowment given to you by God should be seen as a divine investment to be carefully nurtured, proudly displayed and gainfully deployed in your daily life. How well are you using your life for Christ.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

L

iving each day with the consciousness that one day we shall give account to the master will help us caution ourselves in everything we do. Someday the owner of all we own will require it from us. May we never have reason to say had I known in Jesus name. We are daily blessed as we study the open heaven devotional. May God renew the strength of Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: Weigh yourself on God’s scale of profitability by taking stock of how you are using your divine endowments and comparative advantage for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Hymn
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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